Executive and Legislative Branch Activity Iran The Senate is in session this week, while the House is in recess. The Obama Administration continues to urge the Senate to delay acting on new sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program. This week, the P5+1 Talks with Iran resume in Geneva, Switzerland (November 7-8). Syria The Organization for the … Continue Reading
Executive and Legislative Branch Activity Secretary Kerry Travel This week, Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to France, the United Kingdom and Italy. In Paris, the Secretary will meet with representatives of the Arab League’s Arab Peace Initiative Follow-on Committee to discuss the Middle East Peace Process. Secretary Kerry will also hold a bilateral … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity This past week has seen the evolution of the federal government shutdown and the slow emergence of a potential framework for a deal. Late in the week, President Barack Obama met separately with Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans, House Democrats and House Republicans. While President Obama continues to maintain he will not negotiate on … Continue Reading
Executive and Legislative Branch Activity Budget and the Debt Ceiling Debate With no congressional consensus on a bill to fund the U.S. federal government for FY 2014, on Tuesday, October 1, the U.S. government partially shut down. Last week, the House attempted to advance its strategy of passing “mini” continuing resolutions (CR) to fund parts … Continue Reading
Executive and Legislative Branch Activity Syria Last Thursday, September 26, the five permanent members of the United Nations (U.N.) Security Council finalized a resolution that stipulates the Syrian government must abide by the terms or the Security Council will take measures under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter. Such measures could include economic sanctions or military … Continue Reading
Executive and LEGISLATIVE Branch ACTIVITY Navy Yard Tragedy On September 16, Aaron Alexis, a lone shooter, opened fire at the U.S. Navy Yard in Washington, DC. His attack resulted in 13 deaths, including his own, and eight injuries. Alexis was a former Navy reservist turned contractor with a security clearance that allowed him access to … Continue Reading
Executive and Legislative Branch Activity Syria Interrupting the congressional recess one week early and after two days of debate, last Wednesday, September 4, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed by a vote of 10-7 its Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) in Syria resolution. Members in both the Senate and House, however, remain … Continue Reading
Executive and Legislative Branch Activity Egypt The State Department continues to call for an end to perceived arbitrary arrests in Egypt. Despite reported calls in Egypt by Islamists and the opposition for U.S. Ambassador Ann Patterson to leave Cairo, the State Department maintains its support for the embattled veteran Foreign Service officer. Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary … Continue Reading
Executive and Legislative Branch Activity Syria Leaders at the G-8 Summit last week reiterated their support for a political solution to the Syrian civil war and for the transitional government plan agreed to last year in Geneva. The G-8 Leaders Communiqué condemned the use of chemical weapons in Syria, but it did not identify the … Continue Reading
